Health

Two and a half years of routine HIV testing in Botswana

Article Abstract:

The program data for the first two and a half years of routine HIV testing (RHT) in Botswana, which was the first African country to introduce RHT, is presented. The reports have shown that RHT is widely accepted by the population with no adverse effects and it has offered increased access to preventive services and assessment for antiretroviral treatment.

Two and a half years of routine HIV testing in Botswana

Article Abstract:

The program data for the first two and a half years of routine HIV testing (RHT) in Botswana, which was the first African country to introduce RHT, is presented. The reports have shown that RHT is widely accepted by the population with no adverse effects and it has offered increased access to preventive services and assessment for antiretroviral treatment.

The impact of the introduction of routine opt-out HIV testing in antenatal care in Botswana is examined. The results have shown that routine HIV testing is more accepted than voluntary testing and it has led to substantial increases in the uptake of testing and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) interventions without adverse consequences.